Is The Dremel 1671
The Best Scroll Saw For You?

In
a word, yes. If you’re a beginner to serious hobbyist, the Dremel 1671 is
perfect for you. But probably not if you’re
a professional. By professional, I mean high volume, day in and day out mass
production.

While not a hand tool
(powered or otherwise), this Dremel scroll saw
commonly used for woodworking, can cut with intricate detail virtually
any substance you need to create a project to be proud of...

Hard and soft wood

Veneer

Plastic

Hard rubber

Abrasive materials

And non-ferrous light gauge
metals

However, information on the Dremel 1671 can be
an elusive little devil, can’t it? Even my contact at the Dremel mfg co. had a
hard time getting any specs on it. So I went out and purchased the best model I
could find in order to get you all the information you need. It will take me a
while to be able to cover all the things I’ll want to, so keep checking back
here.

Grade:

-Serious
Hobbyist-

The Basics…

This
review is based on a type 3 model Dremel 1671 scroll saw. I’m not sure the differences that the other
types may have. If you know of any
differences, you can write them up at the bottom of the page and let us know!

The
body, Base, and leg set of the Dremel 1671 is made of a sturdy metal with few
plastic parts. But even so, at around 40 - 50 lbs. it’s still easily lifted and moved
around the shop. Even better; lockable casters could be mounted on the legs to
allow you to roll around with ease.

are all plastic, none
look overly cheap (being plastic and all), and are still available for
replacement from several different vendors (with the exception of the switch case which has the plastic shop-vac
attachment). But, believe it or not, the best
prices I’ve found so far on Dremel parts are with a trusted company that has been around for
over one hundred years called SEARS. Yup, SEARS has some of the best selections and best prices for this old tool.

Dremel 1671 Exploded View

Some specifics...

The
only thing I could see that I would feel I would have to be careful around is
the blade/wrench holder when it’s open. One good whack and it could break at
the hinge and it looks as though it could wear through over time, causing
the door to fall off.

However having said that, the unit I bought is 12 years
old and is still in perfect condition even though it was in a busy shop and
used often. I had a blade fall through the poorly sealed door from vibration (visible
in the video below) during operation as well.

Although I’ve heard
many tales to the contrary, overall vibration was minimal and
could be lessened even further by mounting the saw unit on the leg set with a
piece of carpet (or similar) between them.

See my quick video below of a vibration check for the Dremel 1671...

The
sawdust blower tip is made of sturdy brass. The base and leg set (an option
along with the light that mine was equipped with). Are both made of sturdy
steel that
can take not only quite a bit of abuse, but can also handle any welding you may
want to do if you have any add-ons or modifications in mind.

Conclusion

So,
the conclusion here is this; the Dremel 1671 is a very sturdy, well made tool
over all. You should be able to find one on Craigs List or Ebay for anywhere
from $75-$125 (in 2013) in good shape. And for that money, you will have invested in a
tool that will last not only through your many years of creating quality items,
but also your children’s if you chose to leave it to them.

In addition, they
hold their value well so you can get much or all of your money back if you wanted
to sell it some day.

-Don't forget to "like" if you like!-

Dremel Scroll Saw Blades

Dremel Scroll Saw Blades

One
of the first things you’ll need to know about the Dremel 1671 scroll saw is
how to change the blades.

Tip!

Olson Scroll Saw Blades makes a conversion kit that adapts your scroll saw to accept both pin end and plain end blades.It's easy to install and includes all hardware and tools!

Get an idea of this handy conversion by reading the instructions here (PDF).

The
1671 takes various types of 5” dremel saw blades for cutting a good variety of
materials to cover just about anything you need to cut…

Important!

ALWAYS
DISCONNECT THE POWER FIRST! If you or someone else were to accidentally bump the
power switch while changing blades in your Dremel 1671, you could put quite a
hurting on you or your scroll saw, or both. Just like cleaning a gun, never do
it loaded (you or the tool/weapon). :
)>

Dremel 1671 Tension Knob

Tip!

Click on the first picture to scroll through a quick step by step instruction gallery!

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

2. Remove the
table insert and remove the blade from the upper and lower blade holders by lifting
up on the blade to release the top (you may have to pull up hard enough to
raise the lower arm). After release, push down on the blade just enough to pull
it free. Wala! A free blade.

Removing Blade From Top Holder

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

3. Look at the blade
holders and notice the blade slots and pin recesses in the blade holders?

Tip!

There is a set of pin recesses for
cutting from the front or from the side. The set for the side is for when the
piece you’re cutting is longer than 16”.

4. Install the blade by
inserting one end of the blade through the access hole in the table and
hook
the blade pin in the recess in the lower blade holder (I found this
easier to
do if I tilted the table to 45 degrees to give full view of the lower
blade
holder, but this could just have been caused from poor lighting). Re-set
your table to 0 degrees and pull the blade up and set it into
the upper blade holder (you may need to press down on the upper holder).

Table At 45 Degrees

Inserting Blade In Bottom Holder

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

Blade Fully Seated In Top Holder

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

Blade Fully Seated In Bottom Holder

Photo By: Mark Hinkle

Hint!

Tension blade properly! With reasonable force the center of the blade should not move more than 1/8 ′′ front to back. Too little tension weakens performance.

5. Rotate the blade tension
knob clockwise to tighten the blade. You should tighten it just enough to take
out the slack, then one full turn more AFTER checking to make sure that the
blade pins are fully seated in their holders. You will break fewer blades the
tighter it is.

And while you’re at
it, go ahead and blow out the dust that has built up in the motor and rub a
coating of wax on the table top. This will make your work slide easily over the
top while you’re working, making for better control and much smoother cuts.

That’s
it! Easy. And this simple process will make your scroll saw last for many more
years.

Scroll Saw Books and Accessories

Beginners Scroll Saw Workbook

Beginning scroll saw techniques with projects to improve your skills.

25 progressive chapters to build on, allowing you to get better and better with your saw.

Dremel Moto-Shop 57-2

A
pretty handy little tool for its day. In a time when fathers and sons
were making pinewood derby cars for cub scouts and men were likely
to do more handy work around the house.

If you happen to have one of these early tools, you can download a copy of the owners manual here that may help you out. (4 meg PDF)

Ready to step up?

Now, If you’re ready
to REALLY step up to the big (home based) leagues (woodworking, 3D printing, relief
cutting, hardware creation, etc., etc.), check out our reviews on Dremel CNC’s.
You can build an incredible CNC mill to use with your Dremel 4000 for less than $700!

What kind of experience have you had with the Dremel 1671?

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